Immigration Department launches Pre-arrival Information System

After the pilot phase, the PAI System will be expanded nationwide.

1. Purposes of the PAI System 

The PAI System is an online utility that allows foreign fliers to provide some necessary information about their travel before entering Vietnam. Once the air traveller completes the declaration process, the local immigration authority will immediately carry out the immigration procedures in advance, so they will not have to wait in line for the entry procedures upon their arrival.

The deployment of the PAI System is an important part of the local immigration authority’s scheme to digitalize declaration forms and establish a management mechanism based on passengers’ real-time travel data, meeting an increasing demand of international visitors to the country, and the requirement for the development of digital aviation, smart tourism and pre-travel support platforms. The system also demonstrates the effort of the Immigration Department in promoting digital transformation and administrative reform, and improving service quality for foreign travellers to Vietnam.

In deed, the PAI System helps by-air travellers cut down the time of doing entry procedures, minimizing unnecessary procedural complications and reduce waiting time, especially during peak hours. The system specially benefits the travelers with a tight schedule who very much need to optimize their travel time. 

Potential travelers to Vietnam can submit declarations at anytime and anywhere via Internet-connected electronic devices within three days prior to their entry into Vietnam.

Airlines, tourism enterprises and organizations frequently receiving foreign visitors should encourage travelers to complete PAI procedures before their flights to enjoy better services at their arrivals.

 

2. How to declare on PAI

 

Step 1: Access the website: https://prearrival.immigration.gov.vn

Or scan the QR code provided by the Immigration Department below.

Step 2: Select a suitable language (Vietnamese, English, Chinese, French, etc.).

Step 3: Select “Create and submit declaration,” enter the CAPTCHA verification code, then provide their personal information, visa information and travel details, according to the instructions.

Step 4: After completing the declaration, the system will generate a QR code for their entry to the country. Visitors are advised to save the QR code on their mobile devices or print it out for convenient use at border gates.

3. Initial results

The PAI System has been piloted at Tan Son Nhat International Airport since April 15, 2026.

After 15 days of implementation, from April 15 to April 30, 2026, the pilot project recorded a positive result with a total of 161,596  submitted declarations, of whom 119,854 was successful.

Although the PAI System is currently being implemented on a pilot basis at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, and it is optional rather than mandatory for international air travellers to Vietnam, some 70% of the total foreign fliers to the country has used it over the past days had applied their information.

The figure reflects international visitors’ support for the PAI System. However, some declarations were unsuccessful due to mistakes made by the applicants during the declaration, particularly those related to flight numbers, and Passenger Name Record (PNR) flight data.

During the implementation, the PAI System frequently received support and coordination of airlines, relevant agencies and international visitors. It was also strongly advocated by foreign travelers to Vietnam. 

The application of pre-travel digital platforms in support of international travellers to the country is considered a move consistent with the development of digital aviation, smart tourism and modern travel services. Through the pilot project, the Immigration Department continues to study and improve the system based on users’ feedback with the aim of developing the PAI System as a user-friendly, convenient and accessible system.

In the coming period, the Immigration Department will install the PAI System at other international airports while coordinating with relevant agencies to study the installation of a similar system for international visitors to Vietnam through land border gates.

4. Notes

The PAI System is used to help international visitors to Vietnam provide their pre-arrival travel information other than to receive or process visa applications for foreign nationals.

Recently, the Vietnamese authorities have detected several fake websites impersonating the PAI System, through which frauds may defraud credit cards of the applicants. Potential international visitors to Vietnam are advised to access only the official website of the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Public Security: https://prearrival.immigration.gov.vn